Mini Maxi News

22nd March 2013

Future Fibres is busy delivering high performance race rigs to one of the most active sectors in grand prix yachting.

(Source: Future Fibres) The first of these is a highly optimised inshore race boom for Shockwave. The RP72, fitted with an integrated mast and rigging package from Future Fibres in May 2012, has just completed a sensational 2012 race season. Into the 2013 season and Shockwave continues to dominate, defeating current mini-maxi world champion Bella Mente at Key West Race Week. The new inshore race boom is the latest in a series of modernisations that are making the five year old yacht the fastest in its class.

Reggie Cole, skipper on Shockwave explains the decision behind the latest upgrade: “Shockwave’s success is down to the significant transformation she has seen over the past few years, of which the mast and rigging have been a large part. The mast and rigging from Future Fibres have proved to be another step in the right direction, and the new boom we will be receiving this summer will continue to enhance our performance.” The use of high modulus fibre and a stripped back inshore spec will give a significant 25% weight reduction.

Caol Ila R (previously Alegre) is another grand prix race yacht soon to be seeing the benefits a Future Fibres solution can bring. At the end of last year an order was placed for a complete mast, boom and carbon rigging package for the newly purchased Mills 68 for delivery in April 2013.

Future Fibres retrofitted the owner’s cruising boat, a Martin 67, two years ago with a set of continuous carbon rigging. John Hildebrand of Darkhorse Yachting, representing Caol Ila R’s owner comments on the ongoing relationship: “Working with the Future Fibres guys is just easy. They all know their stuff, the design team is made up of some of the world’s best people and I have complete confidence in the product. It is not a tricky decision.”
Precision tooling will deliver Caol Ila R a faultless surface finish with a perfect structural join through the co-curing of fore and aft shells. The mast will feature internal tangs and double external swivel jib locks. Local buckling analysis will enable the wall thickness of the mast to be pushed to the minimum, and this, in combination with high modulus fibre, will see a significant 8% tube weight reduction which will allow redistribution of weight to the bulb for a lighter, stiffer and more controllable rig package.

With two new projects underway, Future Fibres is thrilled to be at the forefront of what is fast becoming the most exciting class on the water.